What to Expect

A Hassle-Free Cruising Experience

Wherever it is you're sailing to, can you be expected to fully experience an exciting voyage of discovery if you also have to deal with travel details like luggage, gratuities, port charges, ground transportation, admissions to attractions, etc? The simple answer is no... you can’t. And since fully experiencing your destination – as well as fully enjoying your modes of transportation – is what traveling with Tauck is all about, we attend to all the little things involved in your cruise ship experience, aboard and ashore – so you won’t miss the big things. Read more about how we make traveling easy for you on your Tauck Small Ship Cruise.

What’s Included on Your Cruise

Here's what to expect on a cruise with Tauck. We include all hotel and cruise ship accommodations, motor coach transportation, port charges, airport and train station transfers (as noted in itinerary), land excursions, admissions, entertainment, sightseeing, special dinners, porterage, and the services of the Tauck Directors, hotel and ship staff, and local guides and drivers are included. All appropriate gratuities for Tauck Director, bellmen, doormen, housekeepers, dining room servers, drivers, ship staff, local guides and drivers are included.

Bar & restaurant beverages, including house wine & spirits, are included throughout the day aboard some of our cruises, depending on the ship and itinerary; complimentary soft drinks, coffee and tea service are available throughout the day. In most cases, transportation from the airport / train station to Tauck’s hotel (and vice versa) is included, regardless of your check-in time, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least three weeks before your departure start date.

Accommodations

Your cruise price includes all hotel and cruise ship accommodations. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering.

Meals

Most meals are included on your Tauck Small Ship Cruise as specified in the individual itinerary. In most cases aboard ship, international cuisine is featured and complimentary wine is offered with dinner. Please let us know about your special dietary requirements when booking your cruise; vegetarian and special diets are often available with advance notice. We will be pleased to meet your special dietary requirements whenever possible.

Shared Ship Experience

Our fleet offers a refined small ship cruising experience, with a maximum capacity of just 264 passengers. Depending on the tour, your ship may be exclusive for Tauck guests only, or may be a shared ship experience with non-Tauck guests onboard as well. All Tauck guests will be accompanied by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests.

Your cruise will always be highlighted by exclusive, private Tauck shore excursions while your time on board may provide opportunities for you to interact with the ship's other non-Tauck guests. While these fellow travelers may not all speak English (typically some will speak only French), you'll likely find a number to be bilingual. We encourage you to mingle and interact with any non-Tauck guests who do speak English (or perhaps even practice your foreign language skills with your non-English speaking shipmates!), as their backgrounds and perspectives can add an element of diversity and a fun, continental flavor to your cruise experience.

Your Tauck Director

Your cruise is conducted by one Tauck Director for every 40 Tauck guests, who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck. Tauck Directors assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

Passports and Travel Documents

Specific travel documents required for your cruise will vary depending on your destinations and itinerary; details will be included in the personalized documents you’ll receive from Tauck before your departure, as well as in the “Before You Go” section of the web page for your specific cruise on tauck.com. Generally, if you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey; if you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact a consulate or embassy of the countries you’re visiting to determine what travel documentation is required.

International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to us prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to us as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied. Once you board the cruise ship, your passport will generally be held by the purser until you disembark. It is recommended that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room / stateroom while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Itinerary Changes

Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all cruises as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on our website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication. Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Health and Activity

Depending on the itinerary, some countries visited on our small ship cruises may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country. These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas; it’s crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey. For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting. Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren’t required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

Naturally, any decisions relating to your health should not be based solely on information provided by a web site. It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources. Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective. Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

Photography on Tour

Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your cruise for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

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Simply amazing!!!!!! From the tour directors to the Captain and crew, to the food and service on board as well as the on shore excursions I could not have hoped for more. Surpassed all expectations..."

Coming Soon!

Available at the end of July, the Tauck Bridges 2016 eBrochure will provide all the details of next year’s family adventures. Join the list and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready! In the meantime, check out all our 2016 trips on our Family Destinations page.